Agago LC I chairperson arrested over theft of iron sheets 

The LC I chairperson Patrick Odoch and secretary of Lawireng Kamorono village, Robin Ojok in Agago district, northern Uganda have been arrested over the alleged theft of iron sheets.

Last month, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) delivered 1,200 pieces of iron sheets to be distributed to at least 40 families in Lira Kato, Omiya Pachwa, Adilang Town Council, Wol sub-county, and Adilang sub-county. Each of the beneficiaries was meant to receive 30 pieces of iron sheets.

However last week reports emerged that Odoch and Ojok diverted 90 iron sheets and kept them in the home of Charles Dickens Olanya in Lala Central Ward. Agago deputy resident district commissioner (RDC), Susan Moro Akot visited the home where the iron sheets were hidden and recovered 70 pieces. Twenty pieces of iron sheets had already been taken to the home of the LC III chairperson of Adilang town council, Santo San Ongom.

On Thursday, Akot ordered the arrest of Ongom and Ojok. Alfred Ongom, one of the beneficiaries says that on the day of distributing the iron sheets, he was away, and when he called the chairperson about his iron sheets, he was told he is not among the beneficiaries. However, he later learned from the sub-county security officer (GISO) that his name is on the list of those who had already received the iron sheets. Ongom said when he decided to report the matter to the police, Odoch claimed that the iron sheets were his. 

Patrick Odoch, the LC I chairperson explained that 60 out of the 90 iron sheets belong to him and the secretary because they were also registered as victims of the Karimojong attacks.

Ongom said he kept the 20 pieces of iron sheets at the home of the LC III of Adilang sub-county because he does not have a safe house to keep them. Odoch revealed that since the iron sheets being claimed by Alfred Ongom rightfully belong to the first wife, they were keeping the iron sheets so that they are given to Ongom in the presence of witnesses since his wife is not with him at the moment.

Santo San Ongom, the LC III chairperson Adilang sub-county, clarified that the iron sheets that were his home belonged to the LC I, and he was only keeping them. 
 
The iron sheets were donated following a request by the Woman MP, Beatrice Akello Akori for support for victims whose huts were burned by the Karimojong raiders. Attacks by warriors have intensified in the district since 2021, with the raiders being accused of stealing food items, livestock, cash, burning huts and also raping women.

According to statistics recorded from the sub-counties of Paimol, Omiya Pacwa, Wol, Adilang, Laparebong, and Lapono sub-counties, eighteen (18) grass-thatched huts were burned by the Karamojong between January 2022, to June 2023.

The arrests come at the time when three cabinet ministers including Mary Goretti Kitutu (Karamoja Affairs), Amos Lugoloobi (Planning) and Agnes Nandutu (In-charge Karamoja Affairs) are also facing trial over the alleged theft and diversion of iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja sub-region.